...tell them face-to-face...

“13 I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; 14 instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face.

15 Peace to you. The friends send you their greetings. Greet the friends there, each by name” 2 John 2:13-15.

I love the way John finishes this letter: “…let’s talk together face to face…” John says…“and Peace to you” John finishes (verses 13-15). Dear friends, we can text and write emails, and send messages on face Book and instagram…but what we really need to do, when God gives us opportunities in our lives, is to talk face to face. We need to tell people what God means to us personally. Tell others what God has done for you in your life. Share with others the blessings god has given you.

Now these days I am burying my son, Andy, who died in a tragic mountain climbing accident in California. While I am doing a lot of texting about this, soon I will be able to stand in the presence of friends and family, and there I will tell them of God’s love — for Andy and for me. I will tell them face to face that we cannot blame God for Andy’s death, because God gives life, not death. Death is just a part of the normal rhythm and cadence of life. We will all die someday, and we will all be surprised at this experience.

You see, I will tell my family and friends that Andy never lived without God being present in His life. I will remind them that Andy received his life from Jesus, and when he died an accidental death, God was there to pick him up, kiss him, and hold him to His breast, and then take Andy home with Him.

When Andy died, he experienced the steadfast love of God, and the mercy of God. Andy now knows how present God has been with him all his life. But Andy is just like all of us —  and like all of us — he pushed God away sometimes. I honestly don’t know very much about Andy’s relationship with God. But one thing I do know about Andy and God is this — Andy now knows how very close to Andy — God was — all of his life. In good times and in bad — in sickness and in health — for better and for worse — for richer and poorer — God was closer to Andy than any of us ever knew. Jesus told Andy this Himself — Jesus told Andy: Without me, Andy, you can do do nothing — but with me — All Things Are Possible. 

Let me tell you something: IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANY OF US TO LIVE APART FROM GOD.

So the next time you get a chance to tell someone how much God has done for you and how much God means to you, tell them face-to-face if you can.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.